Havana, Cuba - 17 September: President Wavel Ramkalawan, currently on an official visit to Cuba, paid a courtesy call  yesterday on His Excellency Hon. Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the Cuban National Assembly of People's Power.

The presidential delegation began its visit at the iconic El Capitolio Nacional, one of Havana’s most emblematic landmarks. Once home to the Cuban Congress, this grand building has, since 1959, served as the headquarters for the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the National Science and Technology Library. It has undergone extensive restoration over the years.

Following the tour of the historic site, President Ramkalawan engaged in official talks with Hon. Lazo Hernández, accompanied by senior Cuban officials. The discussions centered on the strong, longstanding ties between Seychelles and Cuba, exploring new opportunities for enhanced cooperation and mutual benefit.

President Ramkalawan highlighted the visit as a "golden opportunity" to strengthen relations between the two island nations, reaffirming both countries' commitment to elevating their partnership to new heights.

“As small island nations with shared interests and similarities, Seychelles and Cuba can enhance collaboration on the international stage to promote democracy, human rights, adherence to the rule of law and environmental concerns while simultaneously addressing the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS)” said President Ramkalawan. 

On his part, Hon. Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the Cuban National Assembly, expressed deep appreciation to President Ramkalawan and the people of Seychelles for accepting the invitation to Cuba and for their continued support despite the ongoing embargo against Cuba. He emphasized his hope that the friendship and cooperation between the two nations would continue to flourish, particularly through parliamentary exchanges and collaboration in key areas such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, sports, education and global challenges like climate change, human rights, and economic sustainability—issues of great importance to both Seychelles and Cuba.

President Ramkalawan was accompanied during the visit by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde, and Seychelles' Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelle to the Republic of Cuba, Ian Madeleine.

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